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Panels add more money for mental health treatment

CARSON CITY (AP) — Legislative money committees have added $6 million for mental health programs, including a home visit pilot program, community interaction services and more beds for mentally ill inmates at a northern Nevada psychiatric hospital.

The budget amendments proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval will be paid for by a one-time infusion of $21 million in tobacco settlement money. They were approved Saturday by the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

About $1.4 million will be used to re-establish a second Program for Assertive Community Treatment Team in southern Nevada that was eliminated in previous budget cuts.

Another $2 million will create a mental health home visit program.

And $3 million will be used to add 10 beds to Lakes Crossing that serves criminal defendants and inmates.